1 T he wilderness and the dry land will be glad. The desert will rejoice and blossom like a rose.

¶ The wilderness and the solitary place shall be glad; the desert shall rejoice and blossom as the lily.

2 I t will blossom abundantly, and rejoice even with joy and singing. Lebanon’s glory will be given to it, the excellence of Carmel and Sharon. They will see Yahweh’s glory, the excellence of our God.

It shall blossom abundantly and shall also praise and sing for joy; the honour of Lebanon shall be given unto it, the beauty of Carmel and Sharon. They shall see the glory of the LORD and the beauty of our God.

3 S trengthen the weak hands, and make firm the feeble knees.

Comfort ye the tired hands and strengthen the knees that tremble.

4 T ell those who have a fearful heart, “Be strong. Don’t be afraid. Behold, your God will come with vengeance, God’s retribution. He will come and save you.

Say to those that are of a fearful heart, Be comforted, fear not; behold, your God comes with vengeance, with recompense; God himself will come and save you.

5 T hen the eyes of the blind will be opened, and the ears of the deaf will be unstopped.

¶ Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened, and the ears of the deaf shall be unstopped.

6 T hen the lame man will leap like a deer, and the tongue of the mute will sing; for waters will break out in the wilderness, and streams in the desert.

Then the lame one shall leap as a hart, and the tongue of the dumb shall praise; for waters shall be dug in the wilderness, and streams in the desert.

7 T he burning sand will become a pool, and the thirsty ground springs of water. Grass with reeds and rushes will be in the habitation of jackals, where they lay.

The parched ground shall become a pool and the thirsty land springs of water; in the habitation of dragons, where each lay, shall be grass with reeds and rushes.

8 A highway will be there, a road, and it will be called The Holy Way. The unclean shall not pass over it, but it will be for those who walk in the Way. Wicked fools will not go there.

And a highway shall be there and a way, and it shall be called The Way of Holiness; the unclean shall not pass over it; and for those in it there shall be someone to go with them, in such a manner that the foolish shall not err therein.

9 N o lion will be there, nor will any ravenous animal go up on it. They will not be found there; but the redeemed will walk there.

No lion shall be there, nor any ravenous beast shall go up thereon, nor shall any be found there so that the redeemed can walk there:

10 T he Yahweh’s ransomed ones will return, and come with singing to Zion; and everlasting joy will be on their heads. They will obtain gladness and joy, and sorrow and sighing will flee away.”

And the ransomed of the LORD shall return and come to Zion with songs; and everlasting joy shall be upon their heads: they shall retain joy and gladness, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away.